Monday, August 26, 2013

Holy crap, I can't even believe the response to my last post! That is definitely the most comments I have ever gotten. I'm sure that little giveaway had nothing to do with it. :) And if you haven't entered yet, there is still time!
I sat on my copy of Macaron for a long time, not really sure what direction I wanted to go. For dressy occasions, I tend to wear vintage, but on the other hand, I already have a TON of casual dresses. I did a lot of Google image searching and looking at the Colette Patterns Flickr stream, but nothing was really speaking to me. Then on a completely unrelated web search, I came across this dress.

The bodice and shape of the skirt is basically perfect. It's Valentino, and retailed for $3290.00. My version is costing me $28! I'm using an apple green silk dupioni (purchased with a 50% off coupon!) and a vintage lace tablecloth I already owned. I plan on using sheer bias binding for the neckline and keeping the natural lace edge for the sleeves.

Don't forget to check out what the rest of the lovely ladies are sewing!

Monday, August 19, 2013

A little over two years ago, 6 fabulous and talented ladies asked me to be part of their One Pattern Seven Bloggers project. I was a sewing newbie, and an avid reader of all their blogs (seriously, if you are not familiar with these you need to do something about that!!) so I was honored to take part. We all made the same Burda pattern and put our own spin on it. Well, we're back with another challenge: Colette Macaron! I LOVE Colette Patterns, so I'm super excited it was the pattern we chose, and I can't wait to see the unique garments my fellow challengers come up with. I am sure they are all going to be fabulous!
Without further adieu, the wonderful sewists joining me are:

To enter, all you need to do is comment on this post before Saturday 31st August with your email address!
Make sure you head on over to all of the other participants blogs for up to 7 chances to win!

Terms & Conditions

Prizes will be randomly allocated to each of the 8 winners across all seven blogs.

One entry per blog. You can comment on each of the 7 blogs for 7 chances to win (!).

The winners will be drawn and contacted by email on the 2nd September 2013.

So,
keep an eye out on the blogs of the other ladies over the next day to
see their announcement posts, and remember that you can comment once on
each blog for up to 7 chances to win one of the giveaway prizes.

Also remember to come back on the 26th of August for Inspiration posts and then on the 2nd of September for the big reveal!

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Summer is really getting in the way of sewing. I have been crazy busy lately! We just spent four days visiting friends in Kansas City, and then tomorrow I'm off to Chicago for Lollapalooza. I get to see Beach House, Vampire Weekend, Phoenix, The Cure, and Postal Service. I am so freaking excited, you have no idea. It's basically my dream lineup.

I did sew one thing recently, just a quick little sundress with this strange fabric from an estate sale. I am not 100% thrilled with how this turned out (gapes under the armpits) so I might have to rip some seams out and fix it. I used the same New Look pattern as my Paris dress, but I made the straps longer so I could tie them.

Is the print...nursery rhymes? There's geese. Fishing. A guy chasing a girl.

Speaking of sewing, I had entered 4 items in the Wisconsin State Fair. In the "Independent Pattern" category, I entered my beloved Colette Chantilly and I was SURE I would win 1st place. In "Adult Halloween Costume" I turned in Effie Trinket. I really thought that one was a lock as well. Then in "Misses One-Piece Dress", I entered my Flag Day dress. It's not the most exciting thing I've ever sewn, but it's well-made and I thought the judges would appreciate my patriotism. Finally, in "Misses Cocktail or Dinner Dress", I entered my New Years Eve dress, as a total afterthought. It's great fabric, but pretty basic design. I was not confident about either of those.
Well, guess what. I won ribbons for the two that I thought were NOT my strong contenders. I got 3rd place for the cocktail dress and 4th for the misses one-piece dress. I got to see my items displayed today!!

I was feeling pretty happy about my wins! So I decided to check out the competition. Uh. I seriously hope I don't offend anyone with what I'm going to say, but I'm pretty baffled by the judging. Some things were really great, like this 2nd place winner in Misses One-Piece Dress. Super adorable. I would wear that in a heartbeat.

The 1st place winner for Cocktail Dress was also super adorable and very much something I would wear.

But, uh, this one (the white dress) won 1st for Misses One-Piece Dress. It's just a basic bodice with a gathered skirt. Any of us could knock that out in 2 hours. Maybe it's impeccably made? The scoring was 40 points overall presentation, 35 points for construction, and 25 points for materials.

And this weird patchwork quilting cotton vest won a ribbon for the Independent Pattern category. I am seriously shocked that this is considered better than my lovely Chantilly, which in my opinion, is the prettiest and most well-made thing I've sewn. Boo.

But then I saw what won Best in Show for the misses fabric garments division.

I can SEE a pucker on the right sleeve cap. It's maroon wide-wale corduroy. So I feel a little bit better because obviously the style the judges prefer is very different from my style. I don't mean to be a Bitter Betty, and I seriously hope I don't hurt anyone's feelings. I am really happy to win two ribbons. Just a little surprised I didn't do better.

Okay, I gotta go pick a Lollapalooza dress. I have two muslins done so hopefully I will have a real sewing update soon!